Artsbridge (October 2023)

The peers discussed the overall quality of the applications made to this highly competitive round and made the following comments:

• Applications to all of Arts Tasmania’s programs are assessed by multi-artform panels of artists from diverse backgrounds.
• Applicants should:
  • include a clear and direct summary of the activity at the start of the application
  • write in Plain English and to avoid artform specific language (and avoid writing in an academic way)
  • use headings and dot points
  • clearly explain all possible benefits and outcomes of the activity (for artists, audiences, and/or the community)
  • explain the timeliness of the proposed activity (why this, why now?)
  • include a clear and realistic timeline to give the peers confidence that the proposed activities can be achieved
  • include evidence of any confirmed partnerships or other kinds of in-kind or financial support for the activity
  • include a clear and detailed budget that shows how figures were calculated
  • include relevant letters of support that speak to the assessment criteria
• If seeking funds to travel interstate or overseas, applicants should explore any potential benefits that might take place once they get back – such as sharing of skills, knowledge or connections.
• Applications with budgets that included appropriate artist wages and fees in line with industry rates were more likely to be supported by the peers.
• Budgets should also include detail on how the travel costs were calculated, including when they were estimated and how.
• Applications relating to larger, long-term activities should clearly explain which part would be funded through this application.
• The guidelines for Arts Tasmania’s programs can change - peers strongly encouraged applicants to read the program guidelines closely each time they apply.
• Applicants were also encouraged to speak to Arts Tasmania staff before applying to make sure that this is the best program for their activity.
• Support material should be:
  • carefully curated to show your best work (or most relevant work) (links to general sites like homepages are discouraged as peers may not find the works you want them to)
  • clearly labelled
  • accessible to all peers (without memberships to websites or social media required